Bright white protective laminates

Abstract

Laminates of having a first outer layer of weatherable film, at least one mid layer, and a second outer layer containing an opacifying quantity of white pigment. The laminates are particularly useful for protecting photovoltaic cells, solar panels, and circuit boards. In photovoltaic cells, the laminates result in increased power generation.

1 - 23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . A laminate for electronic devices comprising:
 (a) a first outer layer of weatherable polyester;   (b) at least one mid-layer selected from at least one of the group consisting of (i) poly(chlorotrifluoro ethylene), (ii) polymeric film coated on one or both surfaces with liquid crystal polymer, (iii) liquid crystal polymers; (iv) metal foil; and (v) polyester; and   (c) a second outer layer comprising EVA, wherein the second outer layer contains an amount of opacifying pigment sufficient to make it substantially opaque.   
     
     
         25 . The laminate of  claim 24  wherein the EVA has a vinyl acetate content of about 2-8 percent by weight. 
     
     
         26 . The laminate of  claim 24  wherein the second outer layer contains at least one white opacifying agent. 
     
     
         27 . The laminate of  claim 24  wherein the weatherable polyester is pigmented. 
     
     
         28 . The laminate of  claim 24  further comprising fluorescent whitening material. 
     
     
         29 . A photovoltaic module comprising:
 a plurality of photovoltaic cells; and   a backing sheet comprising   (a) a first outer layer of weatherable polyester;   (b) at least one mid-layer selected from at least one of the group consisting of (i) poly(chlorotrifluoro ethylene), (ii) polymeric film coated on one or both surfaces with liquid crystal polymer, (iii) liquid crystal polymers; (iv) metal foil; and (v) polyester; and   (c) a second outer layer comprising EVA, wherein the second outer layer contains an amount of opacifying pigment sufficient to make it substantially opaque.   
     
     
         30 . The photovoltaic module of  claim 28  where the EVA has a vinyl acetate content of about 2-8 percent by weight. 
     
     
         31 . The photovoltaic module of  claim 28  where the EVA further comprises fluorescent whitening material. 
     
     
         32 . The photovoltaic module of  claim 28  where wherein the weatherable polyester is pigmented. 
     
     
         33 . The photovoltaic module of  claim 28  wherein the photovoltaic cells are bonded directly to the backing sheet. 
     
     
         34 . The photovoltaic module of  claim 28  wherein the photovoltaic cells are encased in an encapsulant that is not pigmented. 
     
     
         35 . The photovoltaic module of  claim 31  wherein the laminate further comprises fluorescent whitening material. 
     
     
         36 . A laminate for electronic devices comprising:
 (a) a first outer layer of weatherable pigmented film;   (b) at least one mid-layer selected from at least one of the group consisting of (i) poly(chlorotrifluoro ethylene), (ii) polymeric film coated on one or both surfaces with liquid crystal polymer, (iii) liquid crystal polymers; (iv) metal foil; and (v) polyester; and,   (c) a second outer layer comprising EVA, wherein the second outer layer contains an amount of opacifying pigment sufficient to make it substantially opaque.